Central Coast Mariners Women are back at home on Saturday, taking on Canberra United in an exciting first standalone Ninja A-League fixture at Our Paradise this season.
Emily Husband’s side remain unbeaten from a tricky opening four games, with three draws from the last three games all away from home (including Unite Round).
They are now playing hosts for the first time since opening their season with a stunning 3-1 win over Sydney at our November 2nd Double Header, and at home for the standalone Women’s fixture at Our Paradise this season.
The early season fixtures saw the Mariners put against the top four teams from last season, but they are so far undefeated, with last season’s Premiers Melbourne City the only other team in the league able to say that.
The unforgiving Ninja A-League draw doesn’t get any easier for Husband’s team, however, with fourth placed Canberra United next up before a trip to league leaders Brisbane after the international break.
Early signs suggest Canberra are on for a much improved season following last season’s 11th placed finish, with two wins and a draw in their opening four matches, including an opening day win over Brisbane.
23/24 Double over Canberra and Unite Round draws:
The Mariners will be hoping for more of the same against Canberra on Saturday, after doing the double over them last season, scoring seven goals in the process.
After a 3-0 win in the Capital in December, Husband’s side recorded their biggest win of the season when the two sides last met at Our Paradise in March, with all four goals coming in a scintillating first half display.
Last time out, The Mariners played out a 1-1 draw with last season’s Elimination Final opponents Melbourne Victory, with Annalise Rasmussen’s opener cancelled out by Kayla Morrison’s header.
Canberra also took away a point from Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, thanks to Mary Stanic-Floody’s equaliser against Perth Glory.
18-year-old Stanic-Floody has been a standout for Canberra so far this season and Head Coach Antoni Jagarinec will be hoping she can continue to provide goals from midfield, with Unite missing legendary striker Michelle Heyman this weekend due to her international duty with the Matildas.
🔎 In focus: Annalise Rasmussen
Mariners Academy product Rasmussen has repaid Husband’s faith with back-to-back goals in her first two starts of the season.
It’s the first time the 19-year-old has scored in consecutive games and her performance against Victory at Unite Round may well be her best in Mariners colours to date.
She seems to be relishing the number nine role, she is just one goal away from equalling her tally from last season already.
19 years old and getting better with every game 🇦🇺👊@CCMariners young gun Annalise Rasmussen is this week's @BoostAus Rising Star after scoring in back-to-back games.
— Ninja A-League (@aleaguewomen) November 26, 2024
Remember the name.#BoostRisingStar pic.twitter.com/asjEuHStpe
“Playing at home is always special” – Rasmussen
Nobody loves a home match at Our Paradise more than our Academy graduate. Speaking to the media ahead of the game, Annalise explained how special every match at home is and how she is looking to add to her two goals already this season.
